This is possibly the first documentary from "The American Experience" that I have not enjoyed. It's because usually these films are wonderful--filled with wonderful stories, told exquisitely and true. However, in this film about Jesse Owens, I was completely annoyed at the way the story was told because some of it just wasn't true. It made for a better story to tell a few fibs--but that certainly makes it a very suspect documentary. What I am talking about is the popular notion that Hitler personally snubbed Jesse Owens when he won his gold medals at the 1936 Olympics because he was a racist. This actually did NOT happen though the story is often told by folks--but not by folks whose opinions I would respect. In this case, THE focus of the film seemed to be this snub--and that's a serious problem since it never occurred. The real story? Hitler personally congratulated members of the German team ONLY. When he was told he could only do this if he congratulated everyone, he decided to avoid this altogether. Now I am NOT trying to be an apologist for Hitler. After all, he was Hitler, the greatest villain in history!! But don't spread myths to make a great story...even if the myths are about this monster. Overall, poorly researched but still watchable.
2 Reviews
Great Episode on Owens and Hitler
Michael_Elliott2 May 2012
The American Experience: Jesse Owens (2012)
**** (out of 4)
Excellent episode in the series takes a look at Jesse Owens' career leading up to the 1936 Berlin Olympics and his heartbreak upon coming home with four gold medals. Those wanting to see a full documentary on Owens should probably look elsewhere because this here just covers the year before the Olympics and then the aftermath. With that said, those interested in this period of history are certainly going to be in for a treat because this documentary covers so much in its short running time. William C. Rhodes, Jeremy Schaap, William Baker and Guy Walters are among the people interviewed as are two of Owens' daughters as well as some people who saw Owens run in the Berlin Olympics. The documentary does a very good job at covering the four races that Owens would win gold in and it also does a very good job at covering how Hitler and the Nazi party became more and more outraged as he won. The fourth race was a controversial one as Owens wasn't supposed to be in it but two Jewish runners were pulled at the last moment. The second portion of the documentary covers Owens' return home when he realized that there just wasn't much need for a black runner. The racial issues are all covered as well as what the legend had to resort to in order to make money.
**** (out of 4)
Excellent episode in the series takes a look at Jesse Owens' career leading up to the 1936 Berlin Olympics and his heartbreak upon coming home with four gold medals. Those wanting to see a full documentary on Owens should probably look elsewhere because this here just covers the year before the Olympics and then the aftermath. With that said, those interested in this period of history are certainly going to be in for a treat because this documentary covers so much in its short running time. William C. Rhodes, Jeremy Schaap, William Baker and Guy Walters are among the people interviewed as are two of Owens' daughters as well as some people who saw Owens run in the Berlin Olympics. The documentary does a very good job at covering the four races that Owens would win gold in and it also does a very good job at covering how Hitler and the Nazi party became more and more outraged as he won. The fourth race was a controversial one as Owens wasn't supposed to be in it but two Jewish runners were pulled at the last moment. The second portion of the documentary covers Owens' return home when he realized that there just wasn't much need for a black runner. The racial issues are all covered as well as what the legend had to resort to in order to make money.
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